Electroionic valve



E. R. STOEKLE.

ELECTROIONIC-VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 4, 1917.

1,340,575. Patented May 18, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

E. R. STOEKLE.

ELECTROIONIC VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 4, 1917.

1,340,575. Patented May 18,1920.

2 SHETs-sHEET 2.

56 5f f7 l 3f? fg 29 fk 20 -HIIIIIIIIIwww@ \241 Z3 Jz M75/5765.53 felz?? UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

ERWIN R. STOEKLE, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIG-NOR T0 THE CUTLER-HAMMER MFG. CO., 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

ELECTROIONIC VALVE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 18, 1920.

Application led September 4, 1917. Serial No. 189,586.

To N wlw/n it may cm1/fern.'

Be it known that I; llnwiN R. S'roEkLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in lllectroionic Valves, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an electroionic valve.

Such a valve comprises in general two electrodes, an anode and a cathode, between which the current flows, the electrodes being arranged within a chamber or vessel.

ln order to control the flow of current an auxiliary electrode may be provided by means of which a supplemental voltage may be introduced between the anode and cathode.

lf the supplemental voltage be varied the current passing between the anode and cathode likewise varies. A minute change in the supplemental voltage causes an amplified change in the main current.

The valve will be set forth as applied to control the flow of current through a main circuit, the auxiliary electrode being connected to a control circuit in which the voltage is variable to cause the valve to reg,- ulate the flow of current between its anode and cathode.

ln practice the anode and cathode are preferably arranged close together so as to lessen the impedance between the same, and the supplemental electrode is arranged between the same.

ln order to enable the supplemental electrode to beeffective it must be of such character that it will distribute the supplemental voltage throughout the electron path between the anode and cathode without materially obstructing the flow of the electrons, and to this end a reflex line wire in which the convolutions are arranged close together is provided.

The objects of this invention are:

To provide means to readily and lirmly su port the anode and the cathode;

o provide means to support the auxiliary electrode in such manner that it will not become distorted from the variations in temperature to which it is subjected;

To provide an electroionic valve having high amplifying properties;

o provide an auxiliary electrode or grid of fine wire so mounted that uniform distances are maintained between such electrode and the main electrodes;

To provide improved means for maintaining the wires forming the grid under tension;

To provide improved means for spacing the wires forming the grid; and

To provide means for supporting the wires forming the grid whereby unequal eX- pansion thereof is compensated for to prevent distortion of the grid.

Other objects will appear as the specification proceeds.

One embodiment ofthe invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing. The views of the drawing are as follows:

Figure l is a perspective view of an electroionic valve constructed in accordance with the invention.

F ig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing how the electroionic valve may be used asan amplifier.

The electroionic valve comprises in general an evacuated vvessel containing a heated cathode which may take the form O a filament, and an anode which may take the form of a pair of plates between which the cathode is positioned. The vessel also contains an auxiliary electrode which may take the form of a grid positioned between the cathode and the main anode and which controls the flow of electrons therebetween. This auxiliary electrode or grid comprises a plurality of strands in fine wire positioned in spaced relation and maintained under tension by means of transverse resilient supports arranged at opposite ends of the containing vessel. One or both of these supports may take the form of a spiral spring.

The electroionic valve comprises a vessel l which may be evacuated to any desired degree. The vessel may, of course, be of any desired shape. A stem 2 projects into the vessel and supports a glass frame 3 which in turnsupports all of the elements of the valve.

The frame 3 comprises a pair of longitudinal rods 4 connected near one end by a transverse rod 5 and near the other end by a transverse rod 6.

The cathode 7 which may take the form of a filament is zig-Zagged back and forth between the rods 4 and attached thereto by anchor wires 8. Current may be supplied to the filament through conductors 9 and 10 leading to the outside of the vessel..

A coil spring 11 is `suspended between the upper ends of the rods 4 and extends transversely of the' vessel as shown. A similar spring 12 is suspended between the rods 4 just below the transverse rod 6. Normally these two springs would be substantially parallel with each other. The strands of wire 13 forming the grid may be wound over these two springs in such a manner as to inclose the filament 7. The transverse rods 5 and 6 not only serve to strengthen the glass frame 3 but also serve to space the strands of wire from the filament. The distance between the strands of wire and the filament may be varied by changing the size of the rods 5 and' 6.

The strands of wire 13 are stretched tightly enough to distort the springs into regular curves as shown in the drawing. The spirals of the springs serve to space the strands of wire apart and hold them in their spaced relation. Any desired spacing of the grid wires may be obtained by varying the pitch of the spirals or by placing the grid wires so that there are any desired number of spirals between them. A conductor 14 electrically connected to the auxiliary electrode or grid leads to the outside of the vessel.

Four posts 15 projecting in one direction from the rods 4 support one of the anode plates 16. Four similar posts 17 projecting from the rods 4 in the opposite direction support another anode plate 18. The anode plates 16 and 18 are therefore supported at the outer sides of the grid wires so that the grid wires pass between the filament 7 and the anode plates. A conductor 19 connected with the anode structure leads to the outside of the vessel.

The coil springs 11 and 12 serve to maintain the grid wires under tension. This tension will be uniform because even if the grid wires are not uniformly heated or do not expand equal amounts when heated the springs act on the individual wires to take up any slack therein. Therefore if the grid is not uniformly heated the expansion of the hotter wires will be taken up without an appreciable change in the tension of the cooler wires because each wire is subjected to a tension more or less independent of the tension on the other wires.

The springs 11 and 12 not only maintain the wires under tension but also constitute simple means for holding the strands of wire in spaced relation.

Obviously the filament wires of the heat ed cathode might be supported in the same manner as described in connection with the grid structure in which event the heated cathode would constitute a grid structure within the meaning of this expression as herein used.

Fig. 2 shows the external connections of the electroionic valve, and illustrates one of the many ways in which such a valve may be advantageously used. As here shown'the electroionic valve is used as an amplifier. The electroionic valve is diagrammatically shown and the electrodes thereof are represented in side view to'give a better understanding of their relation.

The `small energy variations to be amplified are applied to the terminals 20 and 21. The terminal 20 is connected by means of a conductor 22 to the conductor 14 leading to the grid. The terminal 21 is connected by means of a conductor 23 to one side of a battery 24, the other side of which is connected by a conductor 25 to the conductor 10 leading tothe cathode 7.

The circuit, the energy in which it is desired to amplify, is connected to terminals 26 and 27. The terminal 26 is connected by means of a conductor 28 to one side of a battery 29. The other side of the battery 29 is connected by means of the conductors 30 and 31 to the conductor 10 leading to the cathode 7. The terminal 27 is connected by means of a conductor 32 to the conductor 19 leading to the two anode plates 16 and 18.

The cathode 7 is heated by means of a battery 33. rlhe battery 33 is connected to the cathode lead wires 9 and 1() by the conductors 34 and 31. I

It will now be noted that the circuit of the small energy variations is completed through the space between the cathode 7 and the grid 13 and the circuit of the amplified energy variations is completed through the space between the cathode 7 and the anode plates 16 and 18.

Fig. 2 will make it clear how the elements of the electroionic valve and the conduc tors 9, 10, 14 and 19 shown in Fig. 1 may be conneicted to the other apparatus in the system. Further explanation regarding the theory of operation of the electroionic valve is not necessary for an understanding of the invention.

A grid structure constructed as herein described may be used for numerous purposes and the invention is not limited to a grid structure for electroionic valves only.

It will be understood that one embodiment of the invention has been specifically described for illustrative purposes only and that other structures may be devised which fall within the scope of the claims.

Vhat I claim is z- 1. An electroionic valve having a heated cathode, and a grid structure comprising a pair of transversely disposed coil springs anda plurality of strands ofwire wound over said springs so as to inclose said cathode.

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2. .An electroionie valve having an element made up of' a plurality of strands of wire` and a transversely extending spring around which said strands ot wire pass, whereby said spring maintains said strands of wire. under tension and compensates for unequal expansion thereof.

3. An electrical device having an element made up of a plurality of strands of wire, and a transversely extending coil spring around which said strands of wire pass, the strands of wire being spaced apart by the spirals of the spring.

4. An electrical device having an element made up of a plurality of strands of wire, and a transversely extending coil spring supported at each end and around which said strands of wire pass` the strands of wire being spaced apart by the spirals of the spring.

An electroionic valve .having a grid structure comprising a pair of coil springs each supported at both extremities, and a plurality of strands of wire wound transversely over said springs.

G. An electroionic valve having a grid structure comprising a pair of coil springs cach supported at both extremities, and a plurality of strands of wire wound transversely over said springs, the strands of wire being spaced apart by the spirals 0f said springs.

T. Means for supporting a plurality of strands of wire comprising a pair of coil springs each supported at its extremities the strands of wire being passed transversely over both springs and the spirals of the springs serving to space the strands ot Wire apart. y

8. A grid structure for electroionic valves and the like comprising a'pair of coil springs each supported at its extremities, and a plurality of strands of wire wound over both springs and maintained under tension thereby.

9. A grid structure for eleetroionic valves and the like comprising a plurality of loops of wire, and a coil spring supported at its ends and passing through the loops at one end of the grid to maintain said Wire under tension. i

10. A grid structure for electroionic valves and the like comprising a pair of coil springs each supported at its extremities. and a plurality of strands of Wire Wound over both of said springs, the strands of wire being held in spaced relation by the spirals of the springs.

11. An electroionic valve having an elec,- trode and a grid comprising a plurality of strands of wire positioned adjacent to said electrode, and common means for vspacing said strands of wire from each other and for maintaining the distance between' the strands of Wire themselves and the distance between said strands of Wire and the electrode uniform regardless the expansion of the wire. l

12. An electroionic valve having a heated cathode and a grid structure comprising a. plurality of strands of wire located adjacent to said cathode, means to space said strands of' wire Jfrom the cathode, and common means for spacing said strands of wire from each other and for maintaining the distance between said strands of Wire themselves and the distance between said strands of wire and the cathode uniform regardless of the expansion of the Wire.

13. An electrical device having an element made up of a plurality of strands of wire, and common means for spacing said strands of wire from each other and for maintaining a uniform tension on each of said strands of wire regardless of unequal expansion ot' the strands of Wire.

14. An electroionie valve having an ele ment composed of a plurality of strands of wire and a transversely extending flexible member over which said strands of Wire are passed whereby said flexible member maintains said strands of wire under tension and compensates for unequal expansion thereof.

15.'An electroionic valve having a grid comprising a support composed of two normally parallel flexible members and a plurality of strands of wire wound over said members whereby the strands of wire are maintained under uniform tension.

16. An electroionic valve having a grid comprising a pair of spaced flexible members and a plurality of strands of wire wound over said flexible members to form an inclosure, and a heatedcathode positioned Within the inclosure.

17. An electroionic valve having a plurality of electrodes, one of said electrodes comprising a pair of spaced flexible members and a plurality of strands of wire wound over said flexible members so as to inclose another of said electrodes.

18. An electroionic valve having a plurality of electrodes, one of said electrodes comprising a pair of supporting members, one of which is flexible, and a plurality of. strands of wire wound over said supporting members so as to inclose another of said electrodes. f

19. Anelectroionic valve having a plurality of electrodes, one of said electrodes comprising a pair of spaced members, one of which is Hexible, and a plurality of strands of wire supported and positioned by said members so as to inclose another of said electrodes.

20. An electroionic valve having a plurality of electrodes, one of said electrodes comprising a plurality of strands of Wire. and a pair of transversely extending supporting members, said strands being supported and positioned by said members so as to inclose another of said electrodes, and one of said members being flexible to maintain said strands of wire under tension whereby a uniform distance between said strands and said inclosed electrode is maintained.

2l. An electroionic valve having an electrode, a grid comprising a plurality of strands of wire positioned in spaced relation to form an inclosure for said electrode, and means for compensating for unequal expansion of said strands whereby a uniform distance is maintained between said strands and said electrode.

22. An electroionic valve having an electrode, a grid comprising a plurality of ,strands of wire positioned adjacent said electrode, and means for compensating for unequal expansion of said strands of wire whereby a uniform distance is maintained between said strands and said electrode.

23. An electroionic valve having an electrode, a grid comprising a plurality of strands of wire positioned adjacent said electrode, and transversely positioned tensioning means for compensating for un* equal expansion of said strands whereby a uniform distance is maintained between said electrode and said strands.

24. An electrical device comprising an element made up of a plurality of strands of wire, a transversely extending spring around which said strands of wire pass, and an inclosing vessel for said element and said spring.

25. An electroionic valve having a grid comprising a support composed of two normally parallel members, and a plurality of strands of wire wound over said members, one of said members being flexible to maintain each of the strands of wire under ten-- sion regardless of unequal expansion thereof.

26. An electrical device having an element composed of a plurality of strands of wire sub'ect to unequal expansion, and a support or said strands comprising a transversely extending flexible member for compensating for unequal expansion of said strands of wire.

27. An electroionic valve, comprising a vessel having a frame therein, a cathode and an anode supported thereby, a pair of spaced members supported by the frame, one of said members being flexible, and an auxiliary electrode formed of a plurality of strands of wire supported and maintained under tension by said spaced members and positioned between said cathode and anode.

28. An electroionic valve, comprising a vessel having a plurality of electrodes therein, one of'said electrodes being made up of a plurality of strands of wire positioned adjacent another of said electrodes, and a transversely extending flexible member for maintaining the strands of wire under tension and for preventing distortion thereof.

29. An electrical device comprising a vessel having an element made up of a plurality of strands of wire and a transversely extending spring for supporting and maintaining said strands under tension.

30. An electroionic valve comprising a vessel containing a frame including a pair of arms, a heated cathode positioned between and supported by said arms, an anode supported by said arms, a flexible member extending between and secured to said arms, and a grid made up of a plurality of strands of wire positioned between the cathode and anode and supported and maintained under tension by the flexible member.

, In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

ERWIN R.` sToEKLE. 

